After the 1921 Railways Act created the Big Four railway companies the line was, from 1923, part of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). The section of the High Barnet branch north of East Finchley was incorporated into the London Underground network through the "Northern Heights" project begun in the late 1930s. The station was first served by Northern line trains on 14 April 1940[6] and, after a period where the station was serviced by both operators, LNER services ended in 1941.[5] The station still retains much of its original Victorian architectural character today.

British Rail (the successor to the LNER) freight trains continued to serve the station's goods yard until 1 October 1962, when it was closed.[4]

The Provisional IRA exploded a bomb at the station's car park on 10 December 1992, during the afternoon rush hour. Commuters and residents were evacuated, though no-one was injured. The station is close to the Inglis Barracks, where a British soldier was killed by an IRA bombing in 1988.[7]

The station has a large adjacent area, originally for storing coal and now used as a car park. Until about 2000, there was a second car park.[citation needed] A block of flats has now been built on this area.

The station is above ground. Both platforms are readily accessible from the street by wheelchair. The main entrance, with ticket office, is at the end of a cul-de-sac (Woodside Park Road), adjacent to the car park entrance. This leads on to the southbound platform. A Victorianpost box is set into the front wall of the station.

The entrance leading on to the northbound platform is at the end of the cul-de-sac (Station Road), a turning off Holden Road.

The station is unique in the district as it is at the centre of a residential area.[citation needed] There are no retail stores around it. This is mainly due to residential pressures against commercial activity in the area.[citation needed]